Automatic safety-valve.



A. E. RUCHTY. AUTOMATIC SAFETY vALvE. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3| 19H-Patented Apr. 2,191&

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ma? /M' A. E. RUCHTY.

AUTOMATIC SAFETY VALVEl APPLICATION FILED oc.a,19|1.

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

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Patented Apr. 2,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- ALEXANDER E. RUCHTY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC SAFETY-VALVE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

Application filed October 3, 191'?. Serial No. 194,571.

` To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALEXANDER E. RUCHTY, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and Stateof Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in AutomaticSafety-Valves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates broadly to gas stoves and burners and moreparticularly has reference to an automatic safety valve.

The invention has for its primary aim and object to provide a valve ofthe above character designed to automatically shut off the flow of gasin-and to a gas stove burner should a strong draft or the likeaccidentally blow out the light, thus preventing the escape of gas.

It is an equally important object of this invention to provide a valveof the above character wherein the construction is such that theoperation is at all times automatic and acts to shut off the How of gaswhen the pressure of the gas is very low and thereby avoids flickeringand the possible suf'focation of persons, etc.

As a further improvement, the present invention embraces the provisionof an alarm signaling system operated simultaneously with the valve forinforming'persons that the gas is shut off.

More particularly this invention includes the provision of a device ofthe above character designed for use on various types of furnaces andstoves, etc., the parts thereof being simple and capable of beingreadily applied and adjusted.

Additional objects of this invention include the provision of retainingmeans for normally holding the resiliently controlled valve open, saidmeans being also adapted/ for closing the alarm circuit subsequent tothe release of the valve arm; to provide improved means for mounting themain lever and also 'to provide means in connection with the lever andsubject to the action of the heat and cold for varying the position ofthe lever.`

Among the other aims and objects of this invention may be recited theprovision of a device of the character mentioned wherein the parts arefew, the construction simple, the cost of production low and theeiiiciency high.

Other improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangementof the various parts of the apparatus will be brought out more in detailin the description to follow, which for a clear understandmg of theinvention should be considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings forming a part hereof, and wherein is disclosed for the purposeof illustration a convenient and satisfactory embodiment of theinvention. It is to be noted in this connection that minor changes inthe construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departingfrom the principle of operation of the various parts.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings inwhich Figure l is a top plan of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan of one end of the device;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3 3, Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is an elevational detail partly in section on line 4 4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail taken on line 5-5, Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a perspective detail of the plate; y

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional detail of the means for connectingthe sections of the main lever.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all the above describedviews to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now, more particularly, to the accompanying drawings, there isprovided a stove frame indicated in its entirety by the numeral 1 beingof a rectangular conformation and composed of sides 2 and ends 3 formeddesirably of pipe tubing, the ends thereof being connected by suitablejoints t. An inlet pipe 5 is arranged in communication with the frontend 3 while a manually operable valve G serves as a means for normallycontrolling the passage of gas through the front end and into a burner 7which in the present instance consists of a perforated pipe section, oneend of which is closed and is connected to the rear end 3 while theouter end is connected to a flame regulator 8 which in turn is arrangedin communication withthe front end 3.

lWith a view toward providing improved means for controlling the flow ofgas into the burner 7 when the valve 6 is left open, a tapered valvecasing 9 is interposed between the flame regulator 8 and the front endof the frame l while a valve stem 10 is niounted rotatably in the casingand isY pin 1G or. the like is mounted on a joint 4 positioned near theinner end of the front end of the frame while suitable resilient meanssuch as the coil spring 17 has its respective ends connected to theprojection and to the pin. and is tensioned so as to normally hold thevalve in the head 11 in a closed position. An arm 18 also projects from.the stem as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 and serves a purpose that willpresently appear. As intimated improved ineansi have been provided forautomatically actuating the valve and in reducing this feature of theinvention to practice a pair of threaded rods or posts 19 are mountedrespectively on the inner end 3 and on the side- 2 adjacent the innerend* 3 while sleeves 2O are disposed thereabout. A lever'21 has itsinner end pivotally arranged about one of the posts 19 anc isi held inposition thereon by an adjustable element such as a nut 22. An arm 23has its inner end connected' on the other kpost 19 and isy held inposition against the upper edge of the sleeve by a suitable nut 2.4. Asubstantially rectangular plate 25 has one end removably connectedthrough the instrumentality of suitable fastening devices such as screws26 to the outer end of the arm 23 while the opposite end of the plate isconnected to the lever adjacent the inner end thereof; rl`his plate, asis apparent, is arranged transversely above the burner 7 and is coveredwith a coating 27 to prevent disiiitcgrating thereof when subjected tothe action ofthe flames acting against the under surface thereof. Theplate is also. provided with a plurality of slots 28.V and openings 29to facilitate cooling so that it will contract suddenly after the gas isturned off or blown out. Y The preferred means for connecting the plateto the lever consistsl of clamping plates 30 arranged respectively onthe upper surface of the plate and oli-the under surface ofthe lever andconnected by means of suitable fastening devices such as screws 31. Theouter end of the lever 21 is off-set as at 32 while the odset isconstructed in sections the inner section 33 being stationary while theouter section 34 is adjustably connected thereto..

The preferred means for connecting the sections consists of apair ofplates 35 the inner ends of whichv are rigidly connected on the upperand lower surfaces of the stationary section 33 through theinstrumentality of suitable fastening devices 36 while the opposite endsof the plates 35 are slotted as at 37 to receive suitable fasteningdevices such as screws 38 adjustably engaged iii the section 34. Ofcourse by loosening the screws the plates may be adjusted while thescrews may be subsequently tightened to hold the sect-ions in adjustedposition, Vthe arrangement being indicatedV in Fig. 8.

'in order to guide the movement of the lever 21 the outer end of thesection 34 is bifurcated as at 39 while a roller 40 is rotatably mountedtherebeneath and operates upon the arin 41 the inner end of which isrigidly secured to a plate 42 carried by the sleeve 43 which in turn isadjustably mounted onv the front end 3 of the frame. Suitable fasteningdevices such as set screws 44 are adjustably mounted through the sleevethe inner ends thereof being adapted for frictional yengagement with thefront end 3 so as to hold the sleeve in various positions of adjustmentand an upright post 45 is mountedl on the plate 42 which is formedpreferably of fiber, and serves as a stop and has electrical contact ina manner that will hereina-fter become apparent.

As intimated7 improved means have been provided for removably holdingthe valve in an open position. In reducing this feature of the inventionto practice, a catch 46 is employed bei-ngl preferably formed from asingle strip of resilient metal the inner end of which is" rigidlyconnected to a bracket 47 carried by the intermediate' portion 48 ofthelever while the metal is'bent adjacent its outer end to' providel albill 49 designed for engagement with the outer end ofthe valve arm 18,the arrangementl being illustrated in Fig. 1.

Coperating; with the catchA 46 and the valve" arm 18 is a hook501p-ivotally mountedk on the section 34 adjacent the outer end thereofthrough the instrumentality of a suitable fastening` device 5:1.Suitable resilient means such ask a bowed spring 52 has its inner endlrigidly secured to the section 34 of the lever by means of.v a suitablefastening device whiley the oppositel end is connected as at 54 totheinner end of the hoolr and is tensionedfagainst the inner end of thehook which is designed for engagenient with the extreme outer end of theari-n 18 is placed'behind the bill 49 andi asthe metal plate 25 expandsthe lever 21 will be moved toward the valve arm Yto consequently permitof` the engagement of the outer end'of, the catch 55 behind the hook 50,

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In this connection it will be observed that the outer end of the hook 50is positioned so as to be engaged by the valve arm and is moved by thelatterl against the tension of the spring 52 so as to release the outerend 55 of the catch. By this arrangement therefore it will beappreciated that in the event of the burner being accidentally blown outor if 'the pressure thereof is dangerously low the metal plate 25 willcool and contract which moves the lever 2l away from the valve and'inasmuch as the hook coperates with the outer end of the catch to holdthe catch it is apparent that during movement of the lever the valve arm18 will be released and it is automatically returned to a closedposition to shut otf the gas through the instrumentality of the coilspring. As intimated during its return movement the arm strikes theouter end of the catch 50 and moves the latter against the tension ofthe spring 52 to consequently allow the spring to automatically engagethe post or stop 45.

Cooperating with the releasing means is the improved alarm circuitcomposed of conducting wires 56 the inner ends ot' which are arranged incircuit with a suitable source of power such as a series of batteries 57and with an alarm such as a bell 58 while the outer ends arerespectively grounded to the bracket 47 as at 59 electrically connectedto the post 45 through the instrumentality of a binding screw 60 engagedin the fiber plate 42 and contacting with the inner end of the post 45.In this connection it will be observed that as soon as the catch 46strikes the post 45 the circuit will be closed to sound the alarm.

In View of the foregoing description it is believed that a furtherdetailed description of the operation of the invention is entirelyunnecessary. Likewise it is believed that the advantages of theinvention will readily be apparent.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and manyapparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope of the same, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as ilustrative and not in a limited sense.It is also to be understood that the language used in the followingclaims is intended to cover all the generic and specific features ottthe invention herein described and all statements of the scope of theinvention which, as a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween.

I-Iaving thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a gasburner and a valve for controlling the flow of gas thereto, of an armprojecting from the valve, a pivotally mounted lever, a metal platepositioned above the burner and connected to the lever and subject tothe action of heat and cold so as to control the movement of the lever,a catch mounted on the lever for releasably holding the valve arm, andserving as a contact, a movably and resiliently mounted hook forretaining the catch while the catch is engaged on the arm and positionedso as to be engaged by the arm and moved to release the catch subsequent'to the release of the arm, a coil-spring connected to the valve forautomatically returning the valve to a closed position subsequent to therelease of the arm, a stationary contact post engageable by the catchsubsequent to release of the catch and an alarm in circuit with thecontact.

2. The combination with the burner of a gas stove, ot' a valve forcontrolling the passage of gas to the burner, an arm projecting from thevalve, a movably mounted lever on the stove, an expanding andcontracting 'plate connected to the stove and lever and positioned abovethe burner so as to expand when the gas is lighted and contract when thegas is extinguished, a resilient catch on the lever for' retaining thearm, a resiliently mounted hook on the lever for holding the catch whenthe latter is engaged on the arm and positioned so as to be engaged bythe arm and moved to release the catch immediately subsequent to therelease of the arm, and a coil spring connected to the valve forautomatically returning the valve to a closed position subsequent to thecontracting of the plate when the gas is extinguished and the release ofthe arm from the catch.

3. The combination of a burner of a gas stove, of a valve forcontrolling the passage of gas to the burner, an arm projecting from thevalve, a movably mounted lever on the stove, an expanding andcontracting plate connected to the stove and the lever positioned abovethe burner so as to be expanded when the gas is lighted and contractedwhen the gas is extinguished, coperative means on the stove and thelever for guiding the movement of the lever, a resilient catch on thelever for retaining the arm, a stop for limiting the movement of thecatch subsequent to the release of the arm, a resiliently mounted hookon the lever for removable engagement with the catch when the latter isengaged on the arm and positioned so as to be engaged by the arm andmoved to release the catch immediately subsequent to the release of thearm, and a coil spring connected to the valve and to the stove anddesigned to automatically return the valve to a closed positionsubsequent to the contracting of the plate when the gas is extinguishedand the release of the arm from the catch.

4. The combination of a burner of a gas stove, ,of a valve forcontrolling the passage otgas to the burner, an arm projecting from thevalve,y a movably mounted lever on the stove, an expanding andcontract-ing plate connected to the stove and the lever and positionedabove the burner so as to be expanded when the is lighted and contractedwhen the gas is extinguished, cooperative means on the stove and thelever for guiding the movement of the lever, a resilient catch on thelever for retaining the arm, a resiliently mounted hook on the lever forremovable engagement with the catch when the latter isv engaged on thearm and positioned so asto be engaged by the arm and moved to releasethe catch immediately subsequent to the release of the arm, al stop forlimiting the movement of the catch subsequent to the release of the arm,a source of energy in circuit with the stop and catch7 and a signalalarm in circuit. with the source of energy, the stop andthe catch anddesigned to be sounded when the catch contacts with the stop.v

5. rlhe combination with the burner 0I" a gas stove, of a val-ve forcontrolling the passage of gas to the burner, an arm projecting Jfromthe valve7 a movably mounted lever on the stove, an expanding andcontracting plate connected to the stove and to the lever and positionedabove the burner so as to be expanded When the gas is-lighted andcontracted When the gas is extinguished, the outer end of the leverbeing i'ormed in sections, means for adjustably connecting the'sections, coperative means onthe stove and the outer section for guidingthe 1novement of the lever, a resilient catchy on the lever forretaining the arm, a hook pivotally mounted on the outer section of thelever, a springy connected to the nook for holding the hook inengagement With the catch when the latter is engaged on the arm andpositioned so as 'to be engaged by the arm subsequent to the release ofthe arm and moved to automatically release the catch immediatelysubsequent to the release ot the arm, and a coil spring for returningthe valve to a closed position subsequent to the contracting of theplate when the gas is extinguished and the release of the arm from thecatch.

In testimony whereof l afx my signature.

ALEXANDER E. RCHTY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressingthe "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, ID. C.

